Ashland (NYSE:ASH) Issues Earnings Results

Ashland (NYSE:ASH) released its quarterly earnings data on Monday. The basic materials company reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.03, FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $386.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $401.42 million. Ashland had a negative net margin of 46.25% and a positive return on equity of 7.07%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.28 earnings per share.

Ashland Stock Performance

Shares of Ashland stock opened at $61.42 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 2.85 and a quick ratio of 1.51. The stock has a market cap of $2.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.35, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.43. Ashland has a 1 year low of $45.21 and a 1 year high of $67.39. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $59.86 and its 200 day moving average is $54.27.

Ashland Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 15th. Investors of record on Sunday, March 1st will be paid a $0.415 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $1.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. Ashland’s payout ratio is presently -9.05%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ashland

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ashland by 76.7% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,098 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $101,000 after buying an additional 911 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S bought a new position in shares of Ashland during the third quarter worth $38,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its stake in Ashland by 398.3% during the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,460 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $70,000 after buying an additional 1,167 shares during the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP lifted its position in Ashland by 91.9% during the third quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 45,773 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,193,000 after purchasing an additional 21,919 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Ashland in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,136,000. Institutional investors own 93.95% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ASH has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded Ashland from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Ashland in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. UBS Group raised their price target on Ashland from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Zacks Research cut shares of Ashland from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of Ashland from $62.00 to $53.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ashland has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $65.13.

Key Headlines Impacting Ashland

Here are the key news stories impacting Ashland this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Adjusted EPS beat and underlying margin resilience — Ashland reported adjusted income from continuing operations of $0.26 per share (adjusted metrics held up vs. prior year) and beat consensus on reported EPS, reflecting cost actions and mix improvement. Ashland (ASH) Beats Q1 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Strong cash generation improved the balance sheet — operating cash flow was robust (reported $125M including a tax refund) and ongoing free cash flow turned positive, supporting liquidity and buyback activity. Ashland reports first quarter fiscal 2026 results and narrows full-year outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Life Sciences strength — the Life Sciences segment grew ~4% and expanded margins, underpinning confidence in higher‑value, innovation-driven product lines. Ashland reports first quarter fiscal 2026 results and narrows full-year outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Narrowed adjusted EBITDA range to $400–$420M — management tightened the band (previously $400–$430M), citing about $11M of temporary impacts from the Calvert City startup delay and weather; the move improves visibility but reflects operational headwinds. Ashland Inc. Reports Q1 Fiscal 2026 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue shortfall and organic decline — Q1 sales were $386M (down ~5% YoY; below analyst estimates around $401–$406M), with divestitures and softer volumes weighing on top‑line growth. Ashland (ASH) Reports Q1 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say
• Negative Sentiment: GAAP loss and operating disruption — the company recorded a net loss (~$12M / $(0.26) per share GAAP) and noted Calvert City startup delays and weather disruptions that reduced adjusted EBITDA (~$10–11M impact). These drove a near‑term earnings/headline weakness. Ashland Inc. (ASH) Stock Falls on Q1 2026 Earnings

About Ashland

Ashland Inc is a global specialty chemicals company that develops, manufactures and supplies a broad range of performance and process-critical additives, ingredients and technologies. Its portfolio spans performance additives for coatings, adhesives and sealants; specialty ingredients for personal care and pharmaceutical applications; and process aids used in water treatment and other industrial processes. Ashland aims to address customer challenges by delivering tailored solutions that improve product performance, processing efficiency and sustainability outcomes.

Founded in 1924 as the Ashland Oil & Refining Company, the firm gradually expanded into the specialty chemicals sector over the second half of the 20th century.